Stress Awareness Month - April

Since Covid-19 took hold of our lives it seems like every month should be Stress Awareness Month. According to the Harris Poll “63% of Americans said their life has been forever changed by the pandemic.” We are all acutely aware of the ways in which stress plays a role in our health now that we have been experiencing it long term and has a collective. The good news is organizations and families are jumping on the health wagon and being intentional about creating healthy stress management practices.

While there are tons of books, podcasts, groups, and social media platforms (numbing out) things at our fingers tips what’s most important is understanding your brand of stress relief. Having an easily accessible and effective set of tools is key to adjusting your stress-o-meter. Considering the following journal prompts to discover or resharpen your mental health tools.

• Categorize your go to stress management practices by cost. Free, under $20 and “extra guacamole” aka costly activity. Budgeting for the costly activity helps honor your financial goals and reminds you to be proactive with your free and inexpensive strategies.

• Reflect on the people and places that bring you ease. This mindfulness technique helps ground you in the psychological safety zone.

• Exercise is a great way to release those happy hormones and release tension. If getting up and moving is a challenge think of two things you can do to make working out more accessible. For example set your workout gear out the night before or habit stack go for a quick stroll before scrolling on social media.

• Invest in yourself, see a professional (doctor, instructor, coach). They're really in the best position to get your started on the path to a stress-free lifestyle. Make an appointment today.